subject: Audiology - Addressing Hearing Difficulties In Individuals [print this page] Audiologists work on problems with people's hearing, preventing and diagnosing potential issues, and treating them when they arrive. People who have hearing problems will probably search out an audiologist; however, audiologists also work with patients and diagnose ailments for patients who show signs of having nerve damage too. There is an increasing demand for audiologists today, as there is also in other health care professions, largely because of the increase in the numbers of senior citizens who are more apt to experience hearing loss.
You will find an audiologist setting up shop in a number of places, these are varied and can include a clinic, hospital, local education agencies, schools for those with hearing difficulty, private practices, and the list continues.
If you are looking for a self-sustaining career that has a constant need for more help, and one that is promising growth because of the need for these specialists, consider audiology. You can get clients of all age groups as an audiologist.
The job of an auditory specialist may include: teaching clients the proper use of hearing equipment, providing specific therapy programs for hearing impaired individuals, or assisting clients who have experienced hearing loss to learn ways to cope with their condition.
Most of the people with hearing problems are older people, with more than eighty-five percent of them being over the age of fifty-five. Though one does sometimes get younger patients who have suffered some hearing loss due to loud music, industrial environments or other factors.
Studies show that it isn't necessarily the loudness of the music that causes the damage to the younger ear. With music more portable these days the potential for hearing problems has risen.
That means that music can now be listened to in small spaces, such as inside cars, or through headsets or ear buds, so that the sound is right next to or inside the ears.
Baseline testing is utilized when individuals suspect that there is something wrong with the way they are hearing. With half the clients, there isn't anything significant going on with their hearing.
It does, however, show an increasing concern for taking care of their hearing among younger people.
Audiologists may also work closely with ear,nose and throat doctors in order to diagnose hearing loss or another hearing disorder. An Impedance Battery is used at first by and audiologist to determine the integrity of the eardrum, done through an air pressure test.
This device allows for examination beyond the tympanic membrane (ear drum) as well, giving the audiologist a comprehensive view of the nerves between the brain and ears.
Another test involves a tool which measures if the individual is hearing spoken words adequately. Audiologists are required to explain to the patient how their new hearing aid works. In certain cases, it will be the support services, such as counseling, that will be the most essential for the person whose hearing is impaired.
The counseling often includes evaluation and discussion of what the treatment is actually able to do to improve their condition.
Postgraduate training is now a requirement for audiologists. The currently accepted credential for Audiologists is a master's degree in audiology, but at some point in the future, it is believed that a clinical doctoral degree will be required.
As the population grows steadily, and the elderly make up a significant part of that population, health care professionals are needed now more than ever before. Besides just more medical practitioners, this growing and aging population also needs improved hearing technology to provide efficient and high-quality treatment. With this growing population, and the growing need, this level of care performed by audiologists must continue to grow as well.
